Former Street favourite Denise Welch, who played Natalie Barnes, was joined by Celebrity Fame Academy winner Will Mellor and former Gladiators' star Saracen.

Medical and nursing experts travelled on the Monarch Airlines flight to provide care for the 94 three to 12-year-olds who suffer from 43 different serious illnesses ranging from cancer to heart disease. When they arrived the children were introduced to Santa's elves and reindeer and some even went on husky rides.

Eileen Morton, 32, from Sale, travelled with daughter Abigail, seven, who suffers from leukaemia. She said: "She loved every minute of it and she spent most of the day with Tina and Nikki. I thought it was wonderful."

Brandon Bassett, seven, who has a congenital heart defect said his highlight was meeting Santa. His mum Belinda, 40, from Sale, said: "The whole day was great, it was magical."